Five graduate programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
have been ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top programs in
the country. The rankings appear in the April 8 issue of U.S. News &
World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools” guidebook.
The five programs are: the College of Medicine rural health medicine
program (ranked 18th of 125 schools surveyed) and primary care program
(ranked 39th of 144 schools); the College of Nursing master’s degree program
(ranked 36th of 269); the School of Allied Health Professions ‘ physician
assistant program (ranked eighth of 40) and physical therapy program (ranked
33rd of 141).
“It’s always nice to have our programs recognized nationally. The magazine’s
rankings provide students with a guide when exploring their educational
options and certainly validate some of the outstanding programs we have
at UNMC,” said William Berndt, Ph.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs.
“At the same time, we realize there are limitations in any ranking system
and urge students to use many sources when selecting a graduate program.”
The College of Medicine programs are ranked for 2002 and are based on
a combination of statistical data (including the quality of students, faculty,
and other resources) and expert assessment data (surveys sent to deans,
administrators, and/or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools
in each discipline). The rest of the programs are ranked for the year 2000
and also are based on the peer assessment surveys.
Rankings from the “Best Graduate Schools” are available online at www.usnews.com.
The online edition includes longer lists of some specialty rankings, as
well as additional school directory information.
U.S. News has ranked graduate schools since 1987 and has published annual
reports since 1990. Editors of the book say a ranking is one of the criteria
students should consider when selecting a graduate school in addition to
the student’s academic and professional ambitions, financial resources,
scholastic record, and the school’s size, atmosphere and location.